Qa-21, 26 April 2017, Statement Of The Spokesperson Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hüseyin Müftüoğlu, In Response To A Question Regarding The Statements Of The Deputy Spokesperson Of The Us State Department Alleging That The Turkish Air Force Conducted The Air Operation Of April 25 Targeting The Pkk/pyd/ypg Positions In Syria And Iraq Without Proper Coordination

Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 26.04.2017

Upon the remarks by the Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department
during the daily press briefing of April 25, the need to clarify certain
points has arisen regarding the military operation carried out earlier on
the same day by the Turkish Air Force on PKK/PYD/YPG targets in Syria and
Iraq.

Prior to the commencement of the air operation of April 25 targeting the
terrorist organization’s positions located in parts of northern Iraq and
northern Syria that are adjacent to our borders, the USA, the Global
Coalition to Counter DEASH/ISIL and the Russian Federation were duly
informed through both military and diplomatic channels. In this regard,
prior to the operation;

-The US and the Russian Federation Military Attachés were informed in
Ankara by the Turkish military authorities in line with the bilateral
deconfliction arrangements regarding Syria and Iraq,

-Turkish Chief of General Staff had telephone conversations with his
American and Russian counterparts,

-Combined Air Operations Center in Qatar, which conducts the command and
control of air operations of the Global Coalition to Counter DEASH/ISIL,
was notified,

-The Representatives currently in Charge of the Embassies of the USA and
the Russian Federation in Ankara were informed in person through diplomatic
channels.

In fact, our resolve to retaliate the terrorist organization’s cross-border
attacks carried out from northern Iraq and northern Syria targeting our
border and national security had clearly been expressed and the necessary
warnings to third parties conducting Counter-DEASH/ISIL operations within
the depth range of 30 kilometers stretching from our borders into Syria and
Iraq to stay clear from the terrorist organization’s positions, training
camps and areas of activity had been issued to the USA and the Russian
Federation through both military and diplomatic channels.

On one hand, as a member of the Global Coalition to Counter DEASH/ISIL,
Turkey will continue to support the Coalition’s efforts to eliminate the
DEASH terrorist organization while on the other hand it will also continue
its fight against terrorism of all kinds in line with its inherent right of
self-defense as defined in Article 51 of the UN Charter and through
underlining the fact that terrorist elements cannot be legitimate partners
in the fight against terrorism.